Team Wellington coach Matt Calcott would like his side to stop conceding the first goal of their national league games.

But other than that, he's pretty happy with how his new-look squad is progressing after another come-from-behind win yesterday, 3-1, over Manawatu at David Farrington Park.

Wellington trailed after 34 minutes when the in-form Tom Mosquera headed in after a goalmouth scramble.

But Wellington never looked rattled and their composure paid dividends as they eventually seized control of the game.

Manawatu paid the price for poor marking as Tobias Bertsch ghosted in at the far post to meet a Luke Rowe free kick and converted the free header.

Henry Fa'arodo was also given far too much room in the box as he used his head to connect with a Tim Schaeffers cross for a 2-1 lead early in the second half.

Justin Gulley then put the result beyond doubt with a fine left-footed strike from the edge of the box.

"They could easily get their heads down and think: well there's another goal but in the last two weeks they've really kicked on in the second half and done well," Calcott said. "I think defensively we are reasonably sound.

"It's more of a lack in concentration, rather than the shape.

"It's maybe just switching off in midfield and maybe at the back but we're improving."

Midfielder Tom Doyle was forced to play at centre back yesterday due to the absence of Alec Solomons (family bereavement) and Karl Whalen (rib injury).

Calcott was pleased with how Doyle acquitted himself and also tipped Solomon Islands captain Fa'arodo to have a big impact on the remainder of the league.

"He's been training in the Solomons but he hasn't been playing much.

"So the more he plays, the better he'll get."

Fifth-placed Wellington's next game is against seventh-placed Otago United at Westpac Stadium on December 9.

Elsewhere, leaders Waitakere United played out a 1-1 draw with Auckland City, who tomorrow leave for the Club World Cup in Japan. Hawke's Bay United are level with Waitakere on points but trail on goal difference after a 2-0 defeat of Otago.

Canterbury United are third after thrashing last-placed Waikato FC 5-0.

In the national women's league, Central beat Capital 1-0 at Wakefield Park as Emma Boyack continued her good goal-scoring form.